Blaenau Gwent 2010

BLAENAU GWENT: Martin Blakebrough (Liberal Democrat)

I do not see myself as a politician but a community activist. I work for Kaleidoscope who provide drug and alcohol services throughout Wales.

The cause I represent is not a popular one but I feel that a country is judged by how well it treats those who are most vulnerable in the community. One of Kaleidoscopes first projects was setting
up a service in Tredegar and I felt privileged to work with the community to ensure we could set up a first class provision.

So why am I standing for the Liberal Democrats? Primarily it is because they believe in communities responding to problems rather than big government trying to govern every aspect of their lives. I
also believe they are committed to social justice and have a commitment to people having fair opportunities in life.

The Labour Plaid Government are stealing our young people’s future by a lack of investment in education. Children in Wales
get £600 less per pupil in every school compared to their English counterpart. If we do not give our children the tools to a brighter future what hope is there.

I am also committed to supporting people on lower incomes so that work pays.

The promise already being enacted, of reducing tax for lower income workers is fundamental to achieve this.